Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction
with the unaudited condensed financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and our audited financial
statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed
with the SEC on March 31, 2021. This discussion and analysis and other parts of this Quarterly Report contain forward-looking statements
based upon current beliefs, plans and expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as statements regarding our
plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and projections. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially
from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under Part II, Item
1A, “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” section
of this Quarterly Report and of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 to gain an understanding of the important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Please also see the section entitled
“Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
We are a technology company
that is reinventing how consumers engage with audio through the development of a proprietary AI platform for audio and innovative technologies
for podcasts. We are leveraging these technologies to bring to market two industry first Apps, Auddia and Vodacast.
Auddia gives consumers
the opportunity to listen to any AM/FM radio station with no commercials while personalizing the listening experience through skips, the
insertion of on-demand content and the programming of audio routines to customize listening sessions such as a daily commute. The Auddia
App represents the first time consumers can access the local content uniquely provided by radio in the commercial free and personalized
manner many consumers have come to demand for media consumption.
We are leveraging our
legacy technology platform to bring to market a premium AM/FM radio listening experience through the Auddia App. The Auddia App is intended
to be downloaded by consumers who will pay a subscription fee in order to listen to any streaming AM/FM radio station without commercials.
Advanced features will allow consumers to skip any content heard on the station, request audio content on-demand, and program an audio
routine. We believe the Auddia App represents a significant differentiated audio streaming product that will be the first to come to market
since the emergence of popular streaming music apps such as Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc. We believe that the most
significant point of differentiation is that in addition to music, the Auddia App is intended to deliver non-music content that includes
local sports, news, weather, traffic and the discovery of new music. Radio is the dominant audio platform for local content and new music
discovery.
We finalized development
and testing of the minimally viable product (“MVP”) version of the Auddia App and launched our first consumer trial in July
2021 with additional consumer trials continuing during the third quarter of 2021 and anticipate a full commercial launch to follow later
in 2021.
We also have developed
a new podcasting platform called Vodacast. Vodacast is a podcasting app that provides an interactive digital feed to supplement podcast
audio with additional content to tell deeper stories and give podcasters access to digital revenue for the first time. The platform is
unique in that it is designed to add new monetization channels for podcasters while delivering a superior content experience for listeners.
Vodacast is a synchronized digital feed that listeners can view and interact with and which accompanies each episode. Podcasters and their
digital teams will be able to build these interactive feeds using The Vodacast Hub, a content management system that also serves as a
tool to plan and manage a podcast episode. The digital feed activates a new digital ad channel that turns every audio ad into a direct-response
digital ad, increasing the effectiveness and value of their established audio ad model. The feed also presents a richer listening experience,
as any element of a podcast episode can be supplemented with images, videos, text copy and web links. This feed appears fully synchronized
in the Vodacast mobile App, and it also can be hosted and accessed independently (e.g., through any browser), making the content feed
universally distributable.
Vodacast will also introduce
an industry first multi-channel, highly flexible set of revenue channels that podcasters can activate in combination to allow listeners
to choose how they want to consume and pay for content. “Flex Revenue” allows podcasters to continue to run their standard
audio ad model and complement those ads with direct-response enabled digital ads in each episode content feed, but it will also activate
subscriptions, on-demand fees for content (e.g., listen without audio ads for a micro payment fee) and direct donations from listeners.
Using these channels in combination, podcasters can maximize revenue generation and exercise higher margin monetization models, beyond
basic audio advertising. These revenue channels are expected to be available to Podcasters starting late 2021 and into 2022.
The Vodacast mobile App
is available today through the iOS and Android App stores.
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Components of our results of operations
Operating expenses
Direct costs of services
Direct cost of services
consist primarily of costs incurred related to our technology and development of our Apps, including hosting and other technology related
expenses. Historically, we had higher direct costs of services related to our legacy platform, however, since the termination of our legacy
services and platform in August 2020, these costs have been reduced. We expect our direct costs of services to increase in the future
as we continue to develop and enhance our technology related to the Auddia and Vodacast Apps.
Research and development
Since our inception,
we have focused significant resources on our research and development activities related to the software development of our technology.
We account for costs incurred in the development of computer software as software research and development costs until the preliminary
project stage is completed, management has committed to funding the project, and completion and use of the software for its intended purpose
is probable. We cease capitalization of development costs once the software has been substantially completed and is available for its
intended use. Software development costs are amortized over a useful life estimated by the Company’s management of five years. Costs
associated with significant upgrades and enhancements that result in additional functionality are capitalized. Capitalized costs are subject
to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenues and changes in software technologies. Unamortized capitalized
software development costs determined to be in excess of anticipated future net revenues are impaired and expensed during the period of
such determination.
We expect to continue
to incur substantial research and development expenses and capitalization in the future as we continue to develop our Auddia and Vodacast
Apps.
Sales and marketing
Our sales and marketing
expenses consist primarily of salaries and consulting services, related to the sales, promotion and commercial trials related to our products.
We expect our sales and marketing expenses to continue to increase as we look to commercialize and generate revenue for our products to
attract and retain users.
General and administrative
Our general and administrative
expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs, including payroll taxes, benefits, stock-based compensation, and professional
fees related to auditing, tax, general legal services, and consulting services. We expect our general and administrative expenses to continue
to increase in the future as we expand our operating activities and prepare for potential commercialization of our products and support
our operations as a public company, including increased expenses related to legal, accounting, insurance, regulatory and tax-related services
associated with maintaining compliance with exchange listing and Securities and Exchange Commission requirements, directors and officers
liability insurance premiums and investor relations activities.
Other income and expense
Our other income and expense consist of interest
income related to our cash at financial institutions, debt extinguishment related to our PPP loan, interest expense from our line of credit,
and a finance charge related to conversion of outstanding debt into shares of common stock related to the February 2021 IPO. We expect
our other expense to decrease as we paid off our outstanding balance on our line of credit,
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Results of operations
Comparison of the three months ended
June 30, 2021 and 2020
The following table summarizes our results
of operations:
Three Months Ended June 30,
2021
2020
Increase/(Decrease)
Revenue
$ –
$ 45,103
$ (45,103 )
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of service
76,058
163,737
(87,679 )
Sales and marketing
139,611
103,496
36,115
Research and development
78,285
97,228
(18,943 )
General and administrative
709,484
526,455
183,029
Total operating expense
1,003,438
890,916
112,523
Loss from operations
(1,003,438 )
(845,813 )
(157,626 )
Other income (expense), net:
249,917
(473,553 )
723,471
Net loss
$ (753,521 )
$ (1,319,366 )
$ 565,845
Revenue
Total revenues were $0
for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $45,103 for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in revenue can be
attributed to the August 2020 termination of our legacy platform which eliminated all platform fee and advertising revenue while we continue
to develop the new Auddia and Vodacast products to establish new revenue streams.
Direct cost of services
Direct cost of services
decreased by $87,679 or 54%, from $163,737 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $76,058 for the three months ended June
30, 2021. This decrease primarily resulted from the termination of our legacy services and the decreased need for hosting, staff reductions
to the team working on the current platform, and other related direct expenses.
Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing expenses
increased by $36,115 or 35%, from $103,496 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $139,611 for the three months ended June
30, 2021 as we increased marketing expenses primarily related to the promotion and development of the Auddia and Vodacast Apps.
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Research and development
Research and development
expenses decreased by $18,943 or 19%, from $97,228 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 to $78,285 for the three months ended June
30, 2021 primarily related to higher capitalization of research and development time. During the second quarter of 2021, the majority
of the research and development efforts were spent on our new Apps, Vodacast and Auddia, which have not been commercially released, therefore
$259,463 of research and development expenses were capitalized in the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $178,987 capitalized
in the three months ended June 30, 2020. Higher capitalized costs were partially offset by hiring additional research and development
staff to continue development of our applications.
General and administrative
General and administrative
expenses increased by $183,029 or 35%, from $526,455 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $709,484 for the three months
ended June 30, 2021. The increase resulted primarily from increased costs related to being a public company and having higher legal and
other professional fees due to preparing to operate as a public company.
Interest expense/Other
expense, net
We had total other income
of $249,917 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to other expense of ($473,553) for the three months ended June 30, 2020,
which was a $723,470 or 153% change in other income / expense. The other income during the three months ended June 30, 2021 related to
our extinguishment of debt related to our first PPP loan in the amount of $268,662, which was forgiven under the terms of the agreement. This was offset by interest expense related to our line of credit. Our other expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily
related to interest expense related to our higher line of credit balance and related party payable notes.
Comparison of the six months ended June
30, 2021 and 2020
The following table summarizes our results
of operations:
Six Months Ended June 30,
2021
2020
Increase/(Decrease)
Revenue
$ –
$ 109,879
$ (109,879 )
Operating expenses:
Direct costs of service
133,406
297,578
(164,172 )
Sales and marketing
263,115
205,422
57,693
Research and development
125,282
142,437
(17,155 )
General and administrative
1,349,375
1,142,698
206,677
Total operating expense
1,871,178
1,788,135
83,043
Loss from operations
(1,871,178 )
(1,678,256 )
(192,922 )
Other income (expense), net:
(8,178,841 )
(874,102 )
(7,304,739 )
Net loss
$ (10,050,019 )
$ (2,552,358 )
$ (7,497,661 )
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Revenue
Total revenues were $0
for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $109,879 for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in revenue can be attributed
to the August 2020 termination of our legacy platform which eliminated all platform fee and advertising revenue while we continue to develop
the new Auddia and Vodacast products to establish new revenue streams.
Direct cost of services
Direct cost of services
decreased by $164,172 or 55%, from $297,578 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $133,406 for the six months ended June
30, 2021. This decrease primarily resulted from the termination of our legacy services and the decreased need for hosting, staff reductions
to the team working on the current platform, and other related direct expenses.
Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing expenses
increased by $57,693 or 28%, from $205,422 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $263,115 for the six months ended June 30,
2021 as we increased marketing expenses primarily related to the promotion and development of the Auddia and Vodacast Apps.
Research and development
Research and development
expenses decreased by $17,155 or 12%, from $142,437 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to $125,282 for the six months ended June 30,
2021 primarily related to capitalization of research and development time. During the first quarter of 2021, the majority of the research
and development efforts were spent on our new Apps, Vodacast and Auddia, which have not been commercially released. We capitalized $551,538
of research and development expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $373,439 capitalized in the six months ended June
30, 2020. Higher capitalized costs were partially offset by hiring additional research and development staff to continue development of
our applications.
General and administrative
General and administrative
expenses increased by $206,677 or 18%, from $1,142,698 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $1,349,375 for the six months
ended June 30, 2021. The increase resulted primarily from increased costs related to being a public company and having higher legal and
other professional fees due to preparing to operate as a public company.
Interest expense/Other
expense, net
Total interest expense/other
expense increased by $7,304,739, from $874,102 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $8,178,841 for the six months ended
June 30, 2021. The increase was due almost entirely to a finance charge of $8,141,424 to interest expense related to the conversion of
outstanding debt into 6.8 million shares of common stock related to the February 2021 IPO. This was offset by our extinguishment of debt
related to our first PPP loan in the amount of $268,662, which was approved in full under the loan forgiveness program and reduced interest
expense related to lower outstanding line of credit and related party notes payable balances.
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Liquidity and capital
resources
Sources of liquidity
We have incurred operating
losses since our inception and have an accumulated deficit as a result of ongoing efforts to develop and commercialize our Auddia and
Vodacast Apps. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 we had cash (including restricted cash) of $6.6M and $0.1M, respectively. We
anticipate that operating losses and net cash used in operating activities will increase over the next 12 months as we continue to develop
and market our products and perform commercial trials on the Auddia App.
In February 2021, we completed an IPO of 3,991,818
units, at $4.125 per unit, consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise
price of $4.54 per share. After deducting underwriters commissions and expenses, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $15.2
million. Due to the successful completion of the IPO, all the Company’s existing convertible debt, accrued interest, accrued fees
payable to related parties, and promissory notes were converted into shares of common stock.
Following the Company’s IPO in February
2021, the Company paid down the outstanding principal balance on its bank line of credit from $6 million to $2 million. The Company and
the bank agreed to reduce the maximum available balance for the line of credit to $2 million. The outstanding balance under the line of
credit accrues interest at a variable rate based on the bank’s prime rate plus 1% (4.25% at June 30, 2021) but at no time less than
4.0%. Monthly interest payments are required, with any outstanding principal due on July 10, 2021. The line of credit is collateralized
by all assets of the Company. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we have reduced our bank debt by $4.0 million, used $2.0 million
of our cash to serve as collateral for our remaining $2.0 million of bank debt that replaces collateral previously provided by a related
party, paid down a significant percentage of our accounts payable, and eliminated all deferred compensation owed to a related party.
In July 2021, certain holders of our publicly
traded Series A Warrants exercised approximately 1.1 million warrants for approximately 1.1 million shares of common stock at the cash
exercise price of $4.5375 per share and as a result, we received additional cash proceeds of approximately $5.0 million. In addition,
we paid the remaining $2.0 million, out of our restricted cash, to pay off and terminate our line of credit. As a result, we had approximately
$9.4 million in unrestricted cash as if July 8, 2021, after the warrant exercise and pay down of our line of credit balance.
Prior to our IPO, we
funded our operations from cash flows generated from operations and cash from the sale of equity securities and debt financing.
Cash Flow Analysis
Our cash flows from operating
activities have historically been significantly impacted by revenues received, our investment in sales and marketing to drive growth,
and research and development expenses. Our ability to meet future liquidity needs will be driven by our operating performance and the
extent of continued investment in our operations. Failure to generate sufficient revenues and related cash flows could have a material
adverse effect on our ability to meet our liquidity needs and achieve our business objectives.
The following table
summarizes the statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:
Six Months Ended June 30,
2021
2020
% Change
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities
$ (3,133,635 )
$ (1,216,952 )
(157.5% )
Investing activities
(575,373 )
(376,125 )
(53.0% )
Financing activities
10,174,305
1,821,794
458.5%
Change in cash and restricted cash
$ 6,465,297
$ 228,717
2,726.8%
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Operating activities
Cash used in operating activities for the six
months ended June 30, 2021 was $3,133,635, primarily resulting from our net loss of $10,050,019 and changes in working capital of $993,369,
partially offset by non-cash charges of $7,909,753 primarily related to our conversion of outstanding debt to common stock from our February
2021 IPO. Changes in working capital primarily related to paying off outstanding accounts payable.
Cash used in operating
activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $1,216,952, primarily resulting from our net loss of $2,552,358, partially offset
by non-cash charges of $489,938 and changes in working capital of $845,468.
Cash used in operating
activities primarily consisted of personnel-related expenditures, payments included costs of operations, and other sales efforts, research
and development and administrative costs.
Investing activities
Cash flows used in investing
activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 consisted primarily of capitalization of software development expenses of $551,538.
Cash flows used in investing
activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 consisted primarily of capitalization of software development expenses of $373,439.
Financing activities
Cash flows provided by
financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 increased primarily related to the issuance of common shares for $14,822,459
related to our February 2021 IPO and proceeds from the second PPP loan in the amount of $267,482, partially offset by a $4,000,000 repayment
on our line of credit, and repayment of deferred salary and related party notes payable of $930,636.
Cash flows provided by
financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $1,821,794 primarily related to the proceeds related to the issuance of
convertible notes payable of $1,372,619, related party debt of $426,779 and proceeds from our first PPP loan of $268,662, partially offset
by repayments of related party debt and deferred salary of $225,797.
Funding Requirements
We historically have
incurred significant losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception and had an accumulated deficit of $61.4M and $51.4M
as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had cash (including restricted
cash) of $6.6M and $0.1M, respectively. We believe that the net proceeds from our February 2021 IPO and additional net proceeds of $5.0
million received from the July 2021 Series A Warrant exercises, will be sufficient to fund our current operating plans through at least
the next 12 months. We have based these estimates, however, on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could spend our available
financial resources much faster than we currently expect and need to raise additional funds sooner than we anticipate. If we are unable
to raise capital when needed or on acceptable terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our technology development and commercialization
efforts.
Our cash is comprised
primarily of demand deposit accounts and money market funds. We believe our existing cash and cash generated from operations will be sufficient
to meet our working capital and capital expenditure needs over at least the next 12 months.
We expect our expenses to increase substantially
in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue the development of the Auddia and Vodacast Apps. In addition, we
expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company, including significant legal, accounting, investor relations
and other expenses. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:
·
the scope, progress, results and costs related to commercial trials related to our Auddia App and obtaining market acceptance
·
the ability to attract and retain podcasters to our Vodacast App and retaining listeners on the platform
·
the costs, timing and ability to continue to develop our technology
·
effectively addressing any competing technological and market developments
·
avoiding and defending against intellectual property infringement, misappropriation and other claims
Off-balance sheet
arrangements
We did not have during
the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the
SEC.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our condensed financial
statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these condensed financial statements
requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and
expenses, and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we continually evaluate our estimates and assumptions believed to be reasonable
under current facts and circumstances. Actual amounts and results may materially differ from these estimates made by management under
different assumptions and conditions.
A summary of our critical accounting policies
is presented in Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. There were no material changes to our critical accounting policies during the
six months ended June 30, 2021.
Emerging growth company and smaller reporting company status
The Jumpstart Our Business
Startups Act of 2012 permits an “emerging growth company” such as us to take advantage of an extended transition period to
comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies until those standards would otherwise apply to private
companies. We have elected to not “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards
at the time private companies adopt the new or revised accounting standard and will do so until such time that we either (i) irrevocably
elect to “opt out” of such extended transition period or (ii) no longer qualify as an emerging growth company.
We are also a “smaller reporting company”
meaning that the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100
million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company if either (i) the market value
of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently
completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. If we are a smaller reporting
company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements
that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company we may choose to present only the two
most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies,
smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information required under this item.
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